Another thing I love about the preseason: Watch lists. (Which, as I’ve detailed in the past, don’t matter because even if a player isn’t on the watch list, he can still win the award).

Of course, running back Evan Royster is getting a ton of preseason love from the award-givers. He looks primed for a big season if he can handle the punishment of being an every-down back and can adjust behind a developing offensive line.

Royster is on the preseason watch list for one of college football’s biggest honors — the Maxwell Award, which is given to “the outstanding college football player in America.” He’s also on the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watch list, which is one of the oldest awards in the country.

Defensive end Jack Crawford, who is flying under too many radars this season if you ask me, didn’t fly under the radar of those who organize the Chuck Bednarik Award. He’s on that watch list, which is earned by the nation’s defensive player of the year.

As far as whether either of the Nittany Lions have a true shot, I don’t think you can consider Royster an underdog. The guy is going to get a lot of carries this season (as are two or three of his backups), and if the offense works this season, it will be because he was able to beat defenses throwing an extra guy in the box to stop him.

Everyone talks about the quarterback being the big key to the offense this season. I think it’s Royster. If he takes his game beyond where he has taken it in the past, that makes all 10 other players on the offense better.

The USA Today preseason coaches poll was announced this morning, and maybe I’m misreading the mood surrounding this team, but I think Penn State fans are going to be a bit surprised at how much confidence the coaches have in the Nittany Lions.

Penn State is ranked No. 14 in the preseason poll — not too shabby considering the lack of experience at the quarterback spot, the reshuffled offensive line and the fact that this team lost some pretty key defenders from last season.

Of course, there are three teams ranked in the top 10 who are also on Penn State’s schedule: No. 1 Alabama, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 10 Iowa.

The details are pretty much how commissioner Jim Delany laid them out on Monday. For now, the game has a host for just one year. Over the next year, the conference will go through a process to determine who will host the game in 2012 and beyond.

That’s the message Penn State wants to get out today, and if you’re interested in saving some bucks, read on.
Penn State Fans Encouraged to Purchase
Beaver Stadium Single Game Parking in Advance
Significant savings realized for fans who secure parking passes before game day

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; August 4, 2010 — Penn State football fans planning to make the drive to Beaver Stadium this fall can alleviate some extra time and expense by planning ahead a bit and buying their single game parking passes in advance.

For those fans purchasing parking at least 10 days prior to the game, a savings as considerable as $30 per car can be realized versus pulling into the lot and purchasing that same pass on game day. Even larger savings will be realized on the advanced purchase of RV and bus parking.

“This step allows us to reward fans who plan in advance, as well as allowing our game day staff to improve managing the traffic and parking loads that come with a football Saturday,” explained Greg Myford, Associate Athletic Director. “The more cars approaching Beaver Stadium with that colored sticker in their window, the better chance we have of moving those cars into the right lane, the right lot and the right space — all without having to stop them to collect money or provide directions. The net goal is for fans to spend less time on the road and more time safely parked and having fun with family and friends.”

In 2009, the advanced game day parking fee was $10 per car — the same price being offered in 2010. The cost for purchasing car parking upon arrival at the lot entrance last season was $20, which this season moves to $40. RV game day parking passes will be $40 in advance and $80 on game day.

“We want all fans to understand that there is a significant benefit and savings to purchasing your game day parking well in advance of the game. As a matter of fact, fans who take this step will not experience any increase in parking their cars for this season,” explained Myford.

Advanced parking — single game or seasonal – for cars, RVs and busses can be ordered online at GoPSUsports.com or by calling the Athletics Customer Relations Center at 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269). Orders must be placed at least 10 days in advance of the game and a fee will be added to allow for processing and mailing ($2/game or $5/season).

Advanced parking can also be purchased at the Athletic Ticket Office in the Bryce Jordan Center until 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon before each home game.

Fans are also reminded that shuttle services to Beaver Stadium from various points throughout State College are also available on each home game date. For further information, visit Game Day Central at www.GoPSUsports.com/gameday.

Here’s the video of Joe Paterno’s press conference with the entire media corps on Monday in Chicago.

He addressed Big Ten expansion, the Alabama game, recruiting, Eddie Robinson and the pursuit of 400 wins and the potential naming of a successor.

Nobody ever asked about the quarterback battle — which I find amazing.

As far as his health, Paterno said he is feeling fine, he said he thinks he’s ready to go, and judging by the problem he described — which we’ve been hearing for months has been either a reaction to medication or an intestinal problem of some kind — if he’s over it, he should be OK. But he sounded a bit tired, in my opinion.

A much more interesting development though: The conference is strongly considering going to a nine-game schedule to preserve rivalries.

“I think there’s a real consensus among our athletic directors to do that,” Delany said. “How quickly we can do that? We can’t do that in the next year or two. I’m hopeful we can make some progress for years three, four. Hopefully, it’s not three or four, but it could be depending on the contractual commitments.

“Conferences are about playing each other more, not less.”

I don’t see any way around waiting a few years before the nine-game schedule starts, but it would be stunning if there wasn’t a championship game in the conference next season.

By the way, kiss the competitive non-conference games goodbye if the nine-game conference schedule gets instituted. That means that, every other year, your team will have five conference road games. Add just one non-conference road game, and you’ll be playing six at home, six on the road.

Think that’s not a big deal? Obviously, you haven’t heard Joe Paterno talk about needing the eighth home game to help fund the entire athletic program.

In some other news:

- Delany said it could be a matter of “weeks” — 30-to-45 days — before a divisional alignment is announced. The three factors he laid out as far as constructing those divisions: Competitive balance, preservation of traditional rivalry games and geographics.

Asked directly if he saw a way Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan could be in the same division, Delany kind of side-stepped, said something about the “data” that needs to be looked at and then offered a quasi-no comment. I’d take that as a no.

However, he also said that Michigan and Ohio State don’t need to be in the same division.

“The important thing,” he said, “is that they play.”

Clearly, Delany wants both divisions to be equally as strong, and he’s not going to compromise long-standing rivalries. To do the latter, you can’t separate Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. And to do the former, you can’t throw Penn State in with those three. That would be simple math, I’d say.

- Delany mentioned a time frame of 90-120 days to find a site and sell the naming rights for the first Big Ten Championship Game.

He said he has heard from some venues that are interested in hosting — and NFL Stadiums like Lambeau Field, Soldier Field, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Ford Field and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapols are all reportedly among them. But he didn’t discount the idea of finding a venue to host the game for one year, then continuing to look for one to host it long-term.

Which direction he goes is up to the athletic directors and university presidents, he said. But it sounded right now like his preference is to find a temporary site before going in search of a permanent one.

“I think the selection, the philosophy, the economics around a championship venue may require a more focused energy than we have right now at this moment,” he said. “Rather than do something in a short time frame without adequate time to study, it might make some sense to defer that.”

I probably would have voted Iowa in the top spot, but the Hawkeyes did come in second behind the Buckeyes in the voting. Wisconsin finished third.

The top three are the only ones announced with the results of the media vote.

The preseason offensive player of the year was Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State. Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was the top defensive player. Both held the same spots at this time last season.

None of this is surprising, of course. I don’t think anyone could make a great case at this point for Penn State to be in the top three, and although Evan Royster might have gotten some strong consideration as the top offensive player, the media is always going to err on the side of a quarterback. Especially one that gets the media attention Pryor does.

Looks like the Nittany Lions are going to enter 2010 with a ton to prove.

Want bone-crunching hits and breathtaking plays? You've come to the wrong place. Want in depth analysis and breaking news on Penn State football and, occasionally, the rest of the sports world? That, we can help you with. Scranton Times-Tribune columnist and Penn State beat writer Donnie Collins promises to check in with all the breaking news and commentary on the Nittany Lions regularly. So drop by often, on game day or any day, to stay in the know.